Columnist Bob Sigall writes the weekly column “Rearview Mirror,” which takes a look back at historic Hawaii through stories, interviews and photos.
I think it’s important to take notice and congratulate the companies, schools and nonprofit organizations that have managed to stick around and continue to serve the community for 50 or more years. Read more
Former first lady Rosalynn Carter died Saturday at the age of 96. Her husband, former President Jimmy Carter, just celebrated his 99th birthday on Oct. 1. A couple of local Hawaii residents told me they had met the Carters. Read more
What are the most fondly Oahu remembered restaurants that are, sadly, no longer with us? I asked readers to vote for their top 10. Over 150 of you did. Read more
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I often write about restaurants that shined brightly in our island skies, but, sadly, are no longer with us. Read more
I was thinking this week, what are the most memorable Oahu restaurants from our past? These would be eateries that are now gone forever, but they once held you in some sort of embrace. You went there over and over again. The staff knew you. Read more
While this column often focuses on one story, sometimes I find myself with several short stories that are unrelated, that I think readers will enjoy. Read more
Glenn Kaya and GEM had a huge impact on business in the islands. They pioneered discounting, membership stores and being open seven days a week. Read more
Two weeks ago, I wrote about the new Kalama Harbor Lodge in Washington and that it was inspired by the design of the Pioneer Inn on Maui. Read more
I love finding stories that connect dots that are seemingly unrelated. This week’s column begins with the Pioneer Inn, which tragically burned down in Lahaina last month. Read more
Two of the worst hurricanes to hit Hawaii in recent times have come in September and November. Their names were Iniki and Iwa. Read more
Three months ago I wrote about Al Michaels, the great sportscaster whose early professional years were in Hawaii. When he moved here in 1968, he often worked with Chuck Leahey, who founded a three-generation broadcasting legacy with son Jim and grandson Kanoa. Read more
In 1875, King David Kalakaua traveled to Washington, D.C., on a mission to convince the United States to lower or eliminate taxes on products to and from Hawaii, specifically sugar. Read more
Readers often tell me something that sends me back in time, rummaging around the archives for confirmation of one sort or another. Read more
Before we even begin, I have to say that today’s topic has nothing to do with a politician who just happens to have the same name. You’ve probably heard of him … he’s frequently in the news …he was president of the United States. Yes, him. Today’s article is not about him. Read more
The film “Oppenheimer” has reminded several islanders about the atomic tests that were visible in Hawaii skies in the 1950s and 1960s. The tests were high in the atmosphere and, despite the distance, visible from Hawaii. Read more
In July I wrote about Tosh Kaneshiro, owner of the Columbia Inn on Kapiolani Boulevard near South Street. Read more
I had lunch with Gene Kaneshiro last week. He showed me a photo of the Columbia Inn Roundtable All-Star baseball team from the early 1970s. Read more
Where was the Waikiki Dairy? Not in Waikiki, or even Hawaii for that matter. It was in Spokane, Wash. Why is there a Manoa Shopping Center in Pennsylvania? Why is there a town in Oregon named Aloha? And why do they pronounce it “A-lo-ah”? Read more
Laurence Wiig, who says he’s now 81 and living in Oregon, suggested I write about the Saturday Kiddie Matinee Movie Clubs that many Hawaii theaters had in the mid-1930s to early 1960s. Read more
One of the greatest family restaurants in Hawaii history, in my opinion, was the Columbia Inn. It wasn’t a fancy place like the Third Floor or Canlis, but it had good, affordable food and was open 24 hours a day. Read more
June marks the beginning of hurricane season in the Central Pacific. Hurricanes Dot (1959), Iwa (1982), and Iniki (1992) were the most consequential in recent times. Read more
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